A Food Guide to Breakfast In Santa Cruz de Tenerife: The Canary Breakfast Edition
So, you’d like to live your best Spanish life for a few days and eat as the Spanish do in Tenerife?
It all starts with breakfast.
Walking around Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you’ll quickly notice cafés everywhere filled with people. People at the bar, people on the terrace, people grabbing a quick sandwich and people extending the morning gossip with friends over coffee. You’ll wonder if anyone eats breakfast at home.
While a traditional Spanish breakfast will vary from region to region, the love of a morning coffee stop and bite to eat is a shared passion. A traditional breakfast is relatively simple and affordable, likely setting you back €5-7 for a coffee and a sandwich.
An authentic local breakfast in Santa Cruz de Tenerife includes a coffee with milk (café con leche), a baguette sandwich (bocadillo), and freshly squeezed orange juice (jugo de naranja). For special occasions or the sweet tooth among us, there are churros con chocolate.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day…so they say. So, grab a seat and start your day off like a local at one of our favorite cafés and typical breakfast foods in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
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Typical Canary & Spanish Breakfast Spots in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
La Churrería Tradicional – A Sweet Start to Your Day
Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday 7:00am – 12:30pm, Monday – Wednesday closed
Price: €
Menu & Location
Located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz de Tenerife, this small, no-nonsense churreria is serious about the task at hand: churros.
The deep-fried doughy deliciousness is made to order on the spot and served with a thick hot chocolate dipping sauce. This is a classic, sweet Spanish breakfast that some swear by as a cure for hangovers.
What to order:
If it’s your first time ordering churros, consider the half ration to start. The classic version comes with chocolate sauce, but La Churrería Tradicional also offers dulce de leche for dipping. Churros come in different sizes – start with the traditional finos if it’s your first time. We’ve never heard of anyone who doesn’t like churros, but if you find you don’t, you can order a coffee and a few select classic sandwiches as well.
It’s a popular but small café and lines form during busy periods. Fortunately, the line usually moves quickly. However if you can’t wait, head over the bridge to Churrería Presidente located on the outside of the main market (Mercado Nuestra Señora de África).
Bar Imperial – A Classic Breakfast Spot
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Monday 6:45am – 10:30pm, closed Tuesday
Price: €€
Menu & Location
A king among the classic cafés in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, serving quick and tasty bocadillos from its large U-shaped bar since 1952. Legend has it that the famous barraquito coffee drink, now ubiquitous in the Canary Islands, was created in this bar. Expect a quick-paced atmosphere at peak rush, and to be attended by lifelong waiters. No one pays any attention to the decor – it hasn’t changed in decades. Saddle up the bar and go elbow-to-elbow with the locals.
What to order:
A chicken, pork or Spanish tortilla bocadillo (a sandwich using baguette bread) and a coffee or a freshly pressed orange juice.
If you are feeling adventurous, order the famous barraquito ¨con todo¨ (with everything). The drink consists of a coffee, sugar and alcohol: a shot of espresso, condensed milk, regular milk, milk foam and Licor 43.
Viva María – Best for Smoothies
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 10:00pm, Saturday 9:30am – 3:30pm, Sunday closed
Price: €€
Menu & Location
A beloved downtown spot with a small terrace selling fresh fruit juices and smoothies alongside bocadillos, sandwiches and croissants. If you don´t want added sugar in your smoothie, you’ll need to say so, as it is common to add.
What to order:
A fresh fruit juice or smoothie and a sandwich or bocadillo. The “Viva Maria” signature bocadillo is a double protein packed start to your day consisting of ham, cheese, lettuce, shredded chicken and mayo.
El Café de Masha – The Cozy Neighborhood Café
Opening Hours: Monday and Friday, 8:30am – 2:20pm, Tuesday – Thursday 8:30am – 3:30pm, Saturday 10:00am – 1:30pm
Price: €
Menu & Location
A cozy neighborhood bar located one block away from the main shopping street (Calle Castillo) where locals pop over for their mid-morning coffee and a quick bite. The relaxed café offers a selection of popular classic sandwiches and bocadillos such as white cheese and tomato, Spanish tortilla and shredded chicken salad. There is always a small selection of homemade cakes if you are looking for a sweet start to your day.
What to order:
If you´ve already tried the classics, order the Canary version of an egg salad sandwich (berros y huevo), or vegetables with almagrote.
Micaela. Empanadas de la Abuela – Best Grab and Go Breakfast
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday 8:00am – 2:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 8:00am – 2:00pm, closed Monday
Price: €
Menu & Location
If you´re looking for something quick, Empanadas de la Abuela is the place for you. The grab-and-go Venezuelan style empanadas stand is located on the bottom floor of the bustling main market in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Mercado Nuestra Señora de África).
Why are we recommending Venezuelan food? The Canary Islands have significant connections to Venezuela, thanks to decades of migration between the two countries (in both directions!). As a result, Venezuelan food has become an important part of the food culture in this localized area of Spain.
What to order:
A cheese and plantain, or black beans, beef and plantain empanada and a chicha (creamy and sweet rice based beverage with warming spices – similar to horchata).
A Round Up – A Local Breakfast in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
To really get into a place, do as the locals do!
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife that means stopping by a cafe for a typical Spanish breakfast. Keep it simple with a café con leche, a bocadillo and some freshly squeezed orange juice and enjoy an authentic start to your day on the island.
Check Out Our Other Santa Cruz de Tenerife Guides
Where to Stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: The Best Areas and Hotels
The Ultimate Guide to Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Is it worth your time?
Best Budget Hotels in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Where to Stay Without Overspending
What to Do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: And What to Avoid
Love Coffee? Our Favorite Cafés in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
What To Do in Tenerife: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Tenerife
